* FakeNationality: His most iconic part in ''Film/DieHard'', he used it on a guest spot in ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill''.* IAmNotSpock: Most people who are too young to remember ''Film/DieHard'' will instantly associate Alan Rickman with [[Film/HarryPotter Severus Snape.]]* RealLife/MeanCharacterNiceActor: Look through his filmography on Website/{{IMDb}}. It includes [[MagnificentBastard Hans]] [[Film/DieHard Gruber]], [[Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves The Sheriff of Nottingham]], [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Alexander]] [[Film/GalaxyQuest Dane]], [[{{Jerkass}} Severus]] [[Film/HarryPotter Snape]], and Rasputin, who is... ''Rasputin''. Off-screen, Rickman was a low-key, modest man who stayed out of the limelight, avoided the paparazzi, and when it came to his fans, was a giant freaking teddy bear, quick with the jokes and hugs.* SecretKeeper: Creator/JKRowling told Alan Rickman Severus Snape's entire backstory - particularly, the content discussed in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' - as she felt it was crucial to his portrayal of the character in the films. He kept the fact that he had this knowledge secret from everyone until she revealed this herself, and even then, never revealed exactly what she'd said. Respecting his wishes, Rowling didn't tell anyone either until after his death.-->''Twitter conversation, January 18, 2016''-->'''@sarahrosefrank:''' Will you tell us the piece of information that you told Alan Rickman about Severus Snape? Or will that forever be a secret? :-)-->'''Creator/JKRowling:''' I told Alan what lies behind the word "always".* ThoseTwoActors: With Creator/EmmaThompson.[[note]] They played an FBI/detective duo in ''Judas Kiss'', a married couple in ''Film/LoveActually'', Hogwarts professors in the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' film series, two of the main characters in the 1995 version of ''Literature/SenseAndSensibility'', and ex-lovers in ''Film/TheSongOfLunch''.[[/note]]* WhatCouldHaveBeen: He turned down the role of Alec Trevelyan in ''Film/GoldenEye''. The character was originally written as a mentor to Film/JamesBond.** He auditioned for the part of Moff Jerjerrod in ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi''.